ESports, also known as competitive video gaming, has seen tremendous growth over the past few years. Several studies have been conducted that examined the potential cognitive benefits of playing video games, but few have examined the psychosocial factors needed to perform at the highest level of competitive video gaming. In this study, the researchers aimed to identify specific mental obstacles players face and any mental techniques gamers already utilize by conducting a qualitative content analysis. Interviews with five high-level competitive League of Legend players were conducted to shed light on their experiences. The interviews resulted in two high order themes. Those high order themes were the following: techniques used to achieve optimal performance and obstacles encountered by competitive gamers. The data collected can be used by a wide population in both the performance psychology field and the eSports realm, more specifically, future mental skills consultants working with League of Legends players, gamers themselves, and academics who wish to serve, improve, or study those involved in an emerging performance domain.

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The Performance Interview Guide (PInG) is a semistructured approach to initial sport and performance psychology (SPP) consultations. The PInG is designed to be person centered and strengths based with a focus on performance excellence. We emphasize building a safe, trusting, and collaborative relationship with the client, and provide an overview of information to gather when forming an initial conceptualization of the client. There are 7 components to the PInG: (a) identifying information, (b) reason for seeking consultation, (c) background of areas for improvement, growth, or concern, (d) details of sport/performance, (e) life/identity outside of sport/performance, (f) significant relationships/support, and (g) self-care. As foundations for the PInG, a philosophy of interviewing, guidance on gathering information, and pragmatic considerations such as holistic consulting (i.e., attending to the person and the performer), multiculturalism, and connecting interviewing to a theoretical orientation to performance excellence are presented.

ESports, also known as competitive video gaming, has seen tremendous growth over the past few years. Several studies have been conducted that examined the potential cognitive benefits of playing video games, but few have examined the psychosocial factors needed to perform at the highest level of competitive video gaming. In this study, the researchers aimed to identify specific mental obstacles players face and any mental techniques gamers already utilize by conducting a qualitative content analysis. Interviews with five high-level competitive League of Legend players were conducted to shed light on their experiences. The interviews resulted in two high order themes. Those high order themes were the following: techniques used to achieve optimal performance and obstacles encountered by competitive gamers. The data collected can be used by a wide population in both the performance psychology field and the eSports realm, more specifically, future mental skills consultants working with League of Legends players, gamers themselves, and academics who wish to serve, improve, or study those involved in an emerging performance domain.

No abstract